Protection bodice

ABSTRACT

Protection bodice ( 1 ) comprising two lateral sides ( 2 ) configured to protect lateral areas of the user’s chest and a bib ( 3 ) configured to protect a frontal area of the user’s chest. The bib ( 3 ) has opposing side end portions ( 3   a ) at least partially superimposed on respective frontal edge portions ( 2   a ) of the lateral sides ( 2 ) in such a way as to define two distinct superimposing areas (A 1 , A 2 ) between the bib ( 3 ) and the lateral sides ( 2 ). The frontal edge portions ( 2   a ) are arranged, in use, between the user and the side end portions ( 3   a ). The bodice comprises a connection device ( 4 ) configured to connect the bib ( 3 ) to the two lateral sides ( 2 ) and comprising first connection elements ( 4   a ) fastened to the bib ( 3 ) and second connection elements ( 4   b ) fastened to the lateral sides ( 2 ). The first and second connection elements ( 4   a ,  4   b ) are slidably constrained to each other to allow a mutual sliding of the lateral sides ( 2 ) in relation to the bib ( 3 ) in such a way as to modify the two superimposing areas (A 1 , A 2 ). The bodice ( 1 ) comprises an adjusting device ( 5 )

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a protection bodice for protecting a user’s body from possible injuries to the chest and ribs.

BACKGROUND

Injuries caused to the ribs and chest are a very common problem in the motorsport sector, particularly in the karting discipline, being it the only discipline that does not require pilots to wear a protection harness.

In the following description, reference will therefore be made to a protection bodice for a kart pilot, without the invention having to lose generality.

Kart pilots sit in rigid seats with reduced support for the exposed upper body, which is therefore subject to shocks and collisions.

While driving, pilots are subjected to medium-high intensity lateral thrusts against the seat, so a rib protection to protect themselves from injury or pain is essential.

The pilots have the possibility to wear the body protection together with the suit, but to date this choice is not mandatory. The one who chooses to wear a body protection, however, is not always able to know how effective the equipment is and offers an adequate level of protection.

The FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) has recently decided to introduce the first “Karting Body Protection Standard” (FIA STANDARD 8870-2018), making it mandatory for pilots to wear a protection bodice in the coming years that offers a combined chest-ribs protection (in the form of a bodice) approved for all championships managed by the CIK-FIA.

The required protection bodice must be designed to protect against three forms of injury: impact with flat or curved structures, impact with the steering wheel or the seat edge, and impact with the steering column.

The protection bodice must also comply with certain requirements, for which it must be resistant to hydrocarbons, must be resistant to certain impact forces dissipating a certain amount of energy and must comply with a series of dimensional constraints and parameters that impose areas of coverage of the body as a function of the height of the user.

Furthermore, all the parts that make up the bodice (at least one bib and two lateral sides) must be connected together so that this defines a single body and must allow the free movement of arms, body, head and neck during use.

When the bodice is open to be worn or removed, the front bib must remain fastened to at least one side of the bodice, so that the bodice remains a single piece.

However, the Applicant noted that the Standard proposed by the FIA does not provide for particular indications aimed at guaranteeing a practical adjustment of the bodice and a better comfort of the pilot, although these aspects represent to date the major unresolved problems of the existing protection bodices, which until now have discouraged pilots from wearing them.

In fact, the Applicant has found that the protection bodices used in the various sectors are particularly difficult to adjust for them to adhere correctly to the user’s body and are uncomfortable once worn, being scarcely adaptable to the physiognomy of the users’ torso.

To be correctly harnessed with a protection bodice existing today, numerous operations and lengthy adjustments are required, which often have to be carried out with the help of an assistant or require specific support equipment to obtain a correct harness.

Once the protection bodice has been worn, however, the general feeling is that of wearing an external body that does not adapt well to the physiognomy of the torso, limiting the movements thereof, and that by not adhering correctly to the body it causes discomfort.

In particular, if the front harness is not positioned correctly in a centred and symmetrical position with respect to the body, the discomfort perceived by the wearer increases and a sensation of imbalance may be felt.

Object of the Invention

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a protection bodice which overcomes one or more of the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an easily adjustable protection bodice.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a protection bodice that is able to guarantee the user wearing it a high level of comfort. Finally, the object of the present invention is to propose a protection bodice that can be made in compliance with the requirements of the aforementioned FIA Standard in the karting sector.

The defined technical task and the specified aims are substantially achieved by a protection bodice, comprising the technical characteristics set forth in one or more of the appended claims.

In particular, the present invention provides for a protection bodice comprising two lateral sides configured to protect lateral areas of the user’s chest, and a bib configured to protect a frontal area of the user’s chest.

The bib has opposing side end portions superimposed at least partially superimposed on respective frontal edge portions of the lateral sides in such a way as to define two distinct superimposing areas between the bib and the lateral sides. The frontal edge portions of the lateral sides are therefore arranged, in use, between the user and the side end portions of the bib.

The bodice further comprises a connection device configured to connect the bib to the two lateral sides and comprising first connection elements fastened to the bib and second connection elements fastened to the lateral sides, wherein advantageously the first and second connection elements are slidably constrained to each other to allow a mutual sliding of the lateral sides in relation to the bib in such a way as to modify the two superimposing areas between the bib and the lateral sides.

Advantageously, moreover, the protection bodice comprises an adjusting device configured to translate the lateral sides approaching or moving away from each other in relation to the bib in such a way as to adjust the distance between the frontal edge portions of the lateral sides.

The presence of connection elements slidably constrained to each other and adjustable by means of the adjusting device allows to easily and quickly adapt the protection bodice to the user’s body, while at the same time ensuring the presence of two non-zero variable superimposing areas in such a way as to prevent parts of the chest and/or sides from being exposed while using the bodice.

In other words, the lateral sides are partially superimposed on the bib and are mutually sliding to adapt the bodice to the physiognomy of the user’s body.

The dependent claims herein incorporated for reference, correspond to different embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the approximate and thus non-limiting description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a protection bodice, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a protection bodice according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the protection bodice of FIG. 1 from a different angle;

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the protection bodice of FIG. 1 , in which some parts have been removed to better highlight others;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic rear views of the protection bodice of FIG. 1 , in which some parts have been removed to better highlight others, which illustrate two different operative positions of the lateral sides; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the protection bodice of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the attached figures, 1 indicates a protection bodice as a whole, hereinafter simply bodice 1.

It should be noted that the bodice 1 object of the present invention can be advantageously used in numerous sectors and for various applications, including for example: automotive and motorcycle disciplines, motorsport in general, skiing, combat sports, horse riding, etc.

The following description refers in particular to a bodice 1 for users (pilots) for the karting sector, without for this reason the invention having to lose generality.

The bodice 1 comprises two lateral sides 2 configured to protect lateral areas of a pilot’s chest, not shown, and a bib 3 configured to protect a frontal area of the pilot’s chest.

With reference to the attached figures, the bodice 1 develops around a longitudinal axis X coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the pilot.

Preferably the lateral sides 2 and the bib 3 have an at least partially curved shape developing around the longitudinal axis X and are flexible in such a way as to allow the bodice 1 to adapt and adhere to the thoracic physiognomy of the pilot.

Preferably the sides 2 and the bib 3 are made by means of multilayer panels comprising at least one external layer in impact resistant material (for example silk-screened polycarbonate, carbon fibre or glass fibre), an intermediate layer of foam to absorb and dissipate energy due to impacts and an internal lining layer (for example in fabric) to ensure comfort in contact with the pilot.

Preferably the two lateral sides 2 are identical and are arranged specularly in relation to the bib 3.

The bib 3 has opposing side end portions 3 a at least partially superimposed on respective frontal edge portions 2 a of the lateral sides 2 in such a way as to define two distinct superimposing areas A1, A2 between the bib 3 and the lateral sides 2.

With reference to the attached figures, the frontal edge portions 2 a are arranged, in use, between the pilot and the side end portions 3 a.

In other words, the bib 3 is externally at least partially superimposed on the lateral sides 2.

Preferably the two superimposing areas A1, A2 have the same extension. In particular, as will become clear in the following description, by keeping constant the value of the two superimposing areas A1, A2 it is possible to ensure that the bib 3 is kept in a central position on the user’s chest.

The bodice 1 according to the present invention comprises a connection device 4 configured to connect the bib 3 to the two lateral sides 2.

The connection device 4 comprises first connection elements 4 a fastened to the bib 3 and second connection elements 4 b fastened to the lateral sides 2.

Advantageously, the first connection elements 4 a and the second connection elements 4 b are slidably constrained to each other to allow a mutual sliding of the lateral sides 2 in relation to the bib 3 in such a way as to modify the two superimposing areas A1, A2.

In particular, the connection device 4 allows each lateral side 2 to slide in relation to the bib 3 in such a way as to vary the value of the respective superimposing area A1, A2.

With particular reference to FIG. 3 , preferably the first and second connection elements 4 a, 4 b are mutually sliding along curved adjustment trajectories T1, T2 lying within the same sliding plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and parallel in use to the transverse plane of the pilot.

Advantageously, moreover, the bodice 1 comprises an adjusting device 5 configured to translate the lateral sides 2 approaching or moving away from each other in relation to the bib 3 in such a way as to adjust the distance between the frontal edge portions 2 a of the lateral sides 2 and 3 and consequently modify the two superimposing areas A1, A2.

By means of the adjusting device 5, the pilot can therefore conveniently adjust the distance between the lateral sides 2 so that they adhere perfectly to the body of the pilot while keeping the bib 3 stationary in a central position.

It should therefore be noted that the first or second connection elements 4 a, 4 b are movable between an extended configuration, in which the superimposing areas A1, A2 have a minimum surface value corresponding to a minimum non-zero safety value (which can advantageously be dimensioned to meet the requirements of the FIA standard), and a close configuration, in which the superimposing areas A1, A2 have a maximum surface value.

The extended configuration in particular corresponds to a position in which the distance between the lateral sides 2 (i.e. the distance between the frontal edge portions 2 a) is maximum, so that the maximum translation along the respective trajectories T1, T2 moving away in relation to bib 3 has been reached; whereas the close configuration corresponds to a position in which the distance between the lateral sides 2 is minimal, so that the maximum translation along the respective trajectories T1, T2 approaching in relation to the bib 3 has been reached.

The extended configuration therefore corresponds to the maximum size of the protection bodice 1 that can be worn by the pilot, whereas the close configuration corresponds to the minimum size of the protection bodice 1 that can be worn.

Once the pilot has put on the bodice 1, inserting it from the head downwards (or arranging it around the body while it is “open”, as will become clearer in the following description), after having positioned the bib 3 centrally on his chest, by translating at the same time the lateral sides 2 by means of the adjusting device 5, it is possible to adjust the distance between the sides 2 quickly until the desired distance in relation to the bib 3 and a precise self-centring positioning thereof is obtained.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, preferably the first connection elements 4 a are two slides (even more preferably made of polycarbonate) and the second connection elements 4 b are two sliders, each slider being slidably constrained in a respective slide.

Preferably the slides 4 a are fastened on an internal side 3I of the bib 3 (i.e. the side of the bib 3 facing the pilot’s body) in correspondence with the lateral end portions 3 a, while the sliders 4 b are fastened on respective external sides 2E of the lateral sides 2 neat the frontal edge portions 2 a.

Preferably the slides 4 a develop symmetrically in relation to a median longitudinal plane of the bib 3 at least partially beyond the lateral end portions 3 a of the bib 3 to superimpose at least partially to the lateral sides 2, along a transverse direction, preferably perpendicularly, to the median longitudinal plane.

In other words, the slides 4 a extend along the adjustment trajectories T1, T2.

According to an alternative embodiment not shown in the attached figures, vice versa, the first connection elements 4 a are two sliders and the second connection elements 4 b are two slides. In accordance with this embodiment, the slides are preferably fastened on respective external sides 2E of the lateral sides 2 near the frontal edge portions 2 a and the sliders are fastened on an internal side 3I of the bib 3 at the side end portions 3 a.

Even more preferably, the slides develop at least partially away from the frontal edge portions 2 a of the sides 2 to superimpose at least partially to the bib 3 along a transverse direction, preferably perpendicularly, to a longitudinal median plane of the bib 3.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, each slider 4 b is movable along the slide 4 a between a portion of the distal limit switch P1 of the slide 4 a and a portion of the proximal limit switch P2 of the slide 4 a.

In particular, the slider 4 b can be attested against the portion of the distal limit switch P1 during the extended configuration of the bodice 1 and can be attested against the proximal limit switch portion P2 during the close configuration of the bodice 1.

Advantageously, therefore, the proximal limit switch portions P2 prevent excessive crushing of the pilot’s chest following an impact, while the portions of the distal limit switch P1 allow to keep the value of the superimposing areas A1, A2 above the minimum safety value, preventing even the partial exposure of a part of the chest.

Preferably, moreover, a portion of the distal limit switch P1 of one of the two sliders 4 b has an extraction slot 4 c of the slider 4 b of such dimensions as to allow the slider 4 b to be extracted from the slider 4 a by disengaging a lateral side 2 from the bib 3 in such a way that the bodice 1 can be opened.

The bodice 1 can therefore be easily worn by the pilot by wrapping the open bodice 1 around his chest and inserting the free slider 4 b into the extraction slot 4 c.

In particular, the shape coupling between the slider 4 b and the extraction slot 4 c is dimensioned according to expedients of known type in such a way as to prevent an involuntary release when the bodice is worn.

According to the present invention, moreover, the adjusting device 5 comprises a pair of belts 6 slidingly inserted inside respective passage slots 3 b of the harness 3.

Even more preferably, the slots 3 b are made symmetrically in relation a median longitudinal plane of the bib 3.

Each belt 6 has:

-   a first end 6 a fastened to a respective lateral side 2, and -   a second free end 6 b that can be reversibly attached to the bodice     1 and configured to be pulled by the pilot in such a way as to bring     the frontal edge portions 2 a of the lateral sides 2 closer     together.

In particular, the pilot, by simultaneously pulling the second free ends 6 b, is able to achieve a self-centring positioning of the bib 3 on his own body and a perfect adherence of the sides 2.

Preferably, the second free ends 6 b comprise retaining means, for example Velcro, and can be reversibly attached by superimposing on the belt 6 near the first free ends 6 a or can be reversibly attached to dedicated retaining portions integral with the lateral sides, not shown.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the bodice 1 preferably comprises a backrest 7 interposed between the two lateral sides 2 and connected to the lateral sides 2 by means of respective adjusting hinges 7' so that the lateral sides 2 can rotate around the adjusting hinges 7'.

Advantageously, the backrest 7 can therefore adapt to the physiognomy of the pilot’s chest, so for example when the bodice 1 is worn by pilots with a "V″ thoracic profile, the sides 2 can freely rotate outwards around the adjusting hinges 7', moving the upper edges 2 c of the sides 2 away from each other, to correctly adapt to the pilot’s body.

The backrest 7 has respective adjusting slots 8 made in correspondence with opposite side edges 7 a of the backrest 7, preferably in the upper area that is the nearest (in use) to the pilot’s shoulders.

Advantageously, with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, each lateral side 2 has, at a respective rear edge portion 2 b opposite to the frontal edge portion 2 a, adjusting pins 9 slidingly movable inside the adjusting slots 8 in such a way as to limit the rotation of the lateral sides 2 around the adjusting hinges 7' between 0 ° and 30 °, preferably between 0 ° and 11 °.

Advantageously, by rotating the sides 2 in relation to the backrest, the upper edges 2 c can be moved away from each other in a controlled manner.

Furthermore, the backrest 7 thus made allows to obtain a passive or self-adaptive adjustment system that does not require a manual adjustment by the pilot to adhere correctly to the body.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, with reference to FIG. 5 , the bib 3 preferably has a lower portion 3 inf, to which the connection device 4 and the adjusting device 5 are connected, and an upper portion 3 sup inclined in relation to the lower portion 3 inf towards the longitudinal axis X of the bodice 1 according to an angle of inclination α between 0° and 45°, preferably equal to 13°.

The bib 3 according to the present invention can therefore not only be made curved to follow the same curvature of the rider’s torso to improve the fitting and comfort in the superimposing area between the bib 3 and the sides 2, but it is preferably inclined at the area of contact with the sternum of the pilot to better adhere to the pilot’s body. Thanks to the inclination of the upper portion 3 sup, the bib 3 therefore confers a better comfort for the pilot.

Finally, as illustrated in the embodiment of the attached figures, the bodice 1 according to the present invention can comprise support belts 10, preferably connected to the backrest 7 and to the lateral sides 2, configured to support the bodice 1 when worn.

The present invention achieves the proposed aims, overcoming the drawbacks complained of in the known art.

Thanks to the present invention, pilots are able to wear in a practical and rapid way a protection bodice 1 capable of adapting effectively and efficiently to the physiognomy of their own body, by making a simple and precise adjustment which guarantees high comfort.

In particular, the adjustment operations can be carried out in total autonomy comfortably by the pilot, without the need for special equipment. The present invention also allows to respect the prescriptions imposed by the FIA STANDARD 8870-2018. 

1. A protection bodice (1) comprising: - two lateral sides (2) configured to protect lateral areas of a user’s chest; - a bib (3) configured to protect a frontal area of the user’s chest and having opposing side end portions (3a) at least partially superimposed on respective frontal edge portions (2a) of the lateral sides (2) in such a way as to define two distinct superimposing areas (A1, A2) between the bib (3) and the lateral sides (2), said frontal edge portions (2a) being arranged, in use, between the user and the side end portions (3a); - a connection device (4) configured to connect the bib (3) to the two lateral sides (2) and comprising first connection elements (4a) fastened to the bib (3) and second connection elements (4b) fastened to the lateral sides (2), said first and second connection elements (4a, 4b) being slidably constrained to each other to allow a mutual sliding of the lateral sides (2) in relation to the bib (3) in such a way as to modify the two superimposing areas (A1, A2); - an adjusting device (5) configured to translate the lateral sides (2) approaching or moving away from each other in relation to the bib (3), in such a way as to adjust the distance between the frontal edge portions (2a) of the lateral sides (2).
 2. The protection bodice (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first connection elements (4a) are two slides and the second connection elements (4b) are two sliders, or vice versa, each slider being slidably constrained in a respective slide.
 3. The protection bodice (1) according to claim 2, wherein said slides are fastened on an internal side (3I) of the bib (3) in correspondence with said lateral end portions (3a) and said sliders are fastened on respective external sides (2E) of the lateral sides (2) near the frontal edge portions (2a).
 4. The protection bodice (1) according to claim 2, wherein said slides develop symmetrically in relation to a median longitudinal plane of said bib (3) at least partially beyond the lateral end portions (3a) of the bib (3) to superimpose at least partially to said lateral sides (2), along a transverse direction, preferably perpendicularly, to the median longitudinal plane of the bib (3).
 5. The protection bodice (1) according to claim 2, wherein said slides are fastened on respective external sides (2E) of the lateral sides (2) near the frontal edge portions (2a) and said sliders are fastened on an internal side (3I) of the bib (3) at said side end portions (3a).
 6. The protection bodice (1) according to claim 5, wherein said slides develop at least partially away from the frontal edge portions (2a) of the lateral sides (2) to superimpose at least partially to the bib (3) along a transverse direction, preferably perpendicularly to a longitudinal median plane of said bib (3).
 7. The protection bodice according to claim 2, wherein each slider is movable along the respective slide between a portion of the distal limit switch (P1) of the slide and a portion of the proximal limit switch (P2) of the slide; said slider being attested against the portion of the distal limit switch (P1) during an extended configuration of the bodice (1) in which the superimposing areas (A1, A2) have a minimum surface value corresponding to a non-zero minimum safety value; said slider being attested against the proximal limit switch portion (P2) during a close configuration of the bodice (1) in which the superimposing areas (A1, A2) have a maximum surface value.
 8. The protection bodice (1) according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting device (5) comprises a pair of belts (6) slidingly inserted inside respective passage slots (3b) of the harness (3) and presenting: - first ends (6a) fastened to the respective lateral sides (2), and - second free ends (6b) which can be reversibly attached to the bodice (1) and configured to be pulled by the user in such a way as to bring the frontal edge portions (2a) of the lateral sides (2) closer together.
 9. The protection bodice (1) according to claim 1, comprising a backrest (7) interposed between the two lateral sides (2) and connected to the lateral sides (2) by means of respective adjusting hinges (7') so that the lateral sides (2) can rotate around said adjusting hinges (7').
 10. The protection bodice (1) according to claim 9, wherein said backrest (7) has respective adjusting slots (8) made in correspondence with opposite side edges (7a) of said backrest (7), wherein each lateral side (2) has, at a respective rear edge portion (2b) opposite to the respective frontal edge portion (2a), adjusting pins (9) slidingly movable inside said adjusting slots (8) in such a way as to limit the rotation of the lateral sides (2) around said adjusting hinges (7') between 0 ° and 30 °, preferably between 0 ° and 11 °.
 11. The protection bodice (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bib (3) has a lower portion (3inf), to which the connection device (4) and the adjusting device (5) are connected, and an upper portion (3sup) inclined in relation to the lower portion (3inf) towards a longitudinal axis (X) of the bodice (1), around which the lateral sides (2) and the bib (3) develop, according to an angle of inclination (α) between 0 ° and 45 °, preferably equal to 13 °. 